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Updated: May 13, 2026

Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
GSL-enriched membrane microdomains in innate immune responses
Hitoshi Nakayama1, Hideoki Ogawa, Kenji Takamori
1Juntendo University Laboratory for Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Care and Nursing, Chiba, Japan.
Lactosylceramide (LacCer)-enriched membrane microdomains in neutrophils act as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). These microdomains, interacting with CD11b/CD18, are crucial for innate immunity and phagocytosis of microbes.
Area of Science:
- * Cellular biology and immunology, focusing on host-pathogen interactions and innate immune responses.
- * Membrane biophysics and the role of lipid rafts in cellular signaling and microbial recognition.
Background:
- * Pathogens frequently target glycosphingolipids (GSLs) within host cell membrane microdomains, also known as lipid rafts.
- * Phagocytes, including neutrophils, utilize pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect conserved microbial patterns and initiate innate immune responses.
- * GSLs, cholesterol, GPI-anchored proteins, and signaling molecules co-localize in membrane microdomains, influencing host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review the functional significance of lactosylceramide (LacCer)-enriched membrane microdomains in neutrophils.
- * To elucidate the role of LacCer as a pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) in innate immunity.
- * To describe the interaction between LacCer-enriched microdomains and CD11b/CD18 (integrin αMβ2) in microbial phagocytosis.
Main Methods:
- * Literature review focusing on studies investigating GSL-enriched membrane microdomains and their role in innate immunity.
- * Analysis of the molecular interactions between LacCer, Lyn kinase, and CD11b/CD18 in neutrophil function.
- * Examination of the functional consequences of LacCer microdomain formation on neutrophil superoxide generation, migration, and phagocytosis.
Main Results:
- * Lactosylceramide (LacCer, CDw17) is expressed on mature human neutrophils and forms microdomains with Lyn kinase.
- * These LacCer-enriched microdomains mediate critical neutrophil functions, including superoxide generation, migration, and phagocytosis, suggesting LacCer acts as a PRR.
- * Interactions between LacCer microdomains and CD11b/CD18 are vital for the phagocytosis of non-opsonized microorganisms.
Conclusions:
- * LacCer-enriched membrane microdomains play a significant role in neutrophil-mediated innate immunity.
- * LacCer functions as a pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) by binding to microorganisms and initiating signaling pathways.
- * The interaction of LacCer microdomains with CD11b/CD18 is essential for efficient phagocytosis of microbes by neutrophils.
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